ABSTRACT

This book provides proven practical strategies and approaches to help you run your existing learning activities in new and more effective ways. It shows how by using distinct and deliberate strategies, teachers and trainers can guide and maximise the learning and development that their activity provides.

The 37 ideas can all be used independently and are appropriate for children and young people of different ages and abilities and can be used in many different environments including outside, inside, classrooms, sports pitches and wilderness, and more. Each strategy is presented on a double page spread with illustrations and includes:

  • Issues this strategy will help address
  • How to implement this strategy
  • The strategy in action, with examples from a wide selection of educational fields
  • How this strategy helps maximise learning
  • Any pitfalls to be wary of
  • Other similar strategies to consider

Aimed at teachers, outdoor and adventure instructors, sports coaches, drama and music teachers and science educators, this is valuable reading for all educators wanting to deliver exciting experiential learning activities.

chapter |4 pages

Introduction

chapter |9 pages

Choosing the Right Strategy

part |76 pages

The Strategies

chapter |2 pages

Abandon

Give the group their instructions and play no further part

chapter |2 pages

Charge

Go flat out, giving the group all the help they need to succeed and don't let their feet hit the ground

chapter |2 pages

Cheerleader

Provide constant praise and enthusiasm to propel your group to success

chapter |2 pages

Delegate

Give someone in the group part or all of your job

chapter |2 pages

Devil on the Shoulder

Consciously provide unhelpful comments and bad advice to provide a challenging environment

chapter |2 pages

Devil's Advocate

Always offer alternative viewpoints to those offered by group members

chapter |2 pages

Drag and Drop

Support the group in their planning and leave them alone during the task

chapter |2 pages

Fish Bowl

Take a participant out of the activity and get them to observe what is going on

chapter |2 pages

Free Rein

Tell the group the objective, then give them free rein to work out how they will achieve it

chapter |2 pages

Help for Sale

Give the group opportunities to buy help as needed

chapter |2 pages

Hidden Agendas

Give each member of the group a hidden goal to achieve alongside the task

chapter |2 pages

How High?

Let the group set their own measure of success

chapter |2 pages

In the Picture

Hand the group picture instructions with all the information they'll need and leave the participants to follow them

chapter |2 pages

Instruction Manual

Have the group create an instruction manual alongside the activity to help others succeed

chapter |2 pages

Islands of Safety

Allow chaos between controlled points

chapter |2 pages

Iterative Goals

Assign the group a series of achievable steps until they reach their goal

chapter |2 pages

Leg Up

Give your participants the minimum amount of support needed to achieve their goal

chapter |2 pages

Lifelines

Give the group a limit on the number of times they can ask for help

chapter |2 pages

Listen Very Carefully

Give instructions for the task only once

chapter |2 pages

Mime Artist

Demonstrate the whole task without words or sounds, exaggerating key points

chapter |2 pages

Mysterious Voice

Play audio instructions with all the information needed and leave the group to follow them

chapter |2 pages

Peer Expert

Teach one or more of the group the skills they need and get them to teach the others

chapter |2 pages

Playtime

Allow the group to learn through play by setting only necessary boundaries

chapter |2 pages

Plot Spoiler

Tell the group what they can expect to learn before they do the task

chapter |2 pages

Pulling Strings

Adapt the activity without the group's knowledge to make it easier or harder

chapter |2 pages

Questioner

Interact with the group by only using questions

chapter |2 pages

Saviour

Swoop in at the last minute with the solution or answer to ensure success

chapter |2 pages

Secret Agent

Assign a secret mission to one team member alongside the group's main task

chapter |2 pages

Shifting Sands

Adapt the activity with the group's knowledge to make it easier or harder

chapter |2 pages

Souvenir

Distribute a physical memento to each member to remind them of their experience and learning once they are home

chapter |2 pages

Storyteller

Use a story to explain the rules and give a purpose to an activity

chapter |2 pages

Sum of the Whole

Assign each member of the group a distinct part to play in achieving the goal

chapter |2 pages

The Bigger Picture

Create a storyline that connects a lot of little tasks into something bigger

chapter |2 pages

Train Tracks

Create a precise plan for the group to follow

chapter |2 pages

Wind Up and Let Go

Provide a lot of praise and enthusiasm before the activity to give the group confidence

chapter |2 pages

Written Brief

Hand out written instructions to the group with all the information needed and leave the participants to follow them

chapter |2 pages

Wizard

Inspire the group with expert skills beyond their comprehension

chapter |1 pages

Let's Carry on the Conversation